Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, vol 2 | Page 8

at Mortier, on the lake of Morat in Switzerland, on May 28, 1807.
He emigrated to America in 1846, where he spent the rest of his life,
and died December 14, 1873. His 'Life,' written by his widow, was
published in 1885. The following extract from a letter to Agassiz (1850)
is worth giving, as showing how my father regarded him, and it may be
added that his cordial feelings towards the great American naturalist
remained strong to the end of his life:--
"I have seldom been more deeply gratified than by receiving your most
kind present of 'Lake Superior.' I had heard of it, and had much wished
to read it, but I confess that it was the very great honour of having in
my possession a work with your autograph as a presentation copy that
has given me such lively and sincere pleasure. I cordially thank you for
it. I have begun to read it with uncommon interest, which I see will
increase as I go on.") Down, November 11th [1859].
My dear Sir,
I have ventured to send you a copy of my book (as yet only an abstract)
on the 'Origin of Species.' As the conclusions at which I have arrived
on several points differ so widely from yours, I have thought (should
you at any time read my volume) that you might think that I had sent it
to you out of a spirit of defiance or bravado; but I assure you that I act
under a wholly different frame of mind. I hope that you will at least
give me credit, however erroneous you may think my conclusions, for
having earnestly endeavoured to arrive at the truth. With sincere respect,

I beg leave to remain,
Yours, very faithfully, CHARLES DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO A. DE CANDOLLE. Down, November 11th
[1859].
Dear Sir,
I have thought that you would permit me to send you (by Messrs.
Williams and Norgate, booksellers) a copy of my work (as yet only an
abstract) on the 'Origin of Species.' I wish to do this, as the only,
though quite inadequate manner, by which I can testify to you the
extreme interest which I have felt, and the great advantage which I have
derived, from studying your grand and noble work on Geographical
Distribution. Should you be induced to read my volume, I venture to
remark that it will be intelligible only by reading the whole straight
through, as it is very much condensed. It would be a high gratification
to me if any portion interested you. But I am perfectly well aware that
you will entirely disagree with the conclusion at which I have arrived.
You will probably have quite forgotten me; but many years ago you did
me the honour of dining at my house in London to meet M. and
Madame Sismondi (Jessie Allen, sister of Mrs. Josiah Wedgwood of
Maer.), the uncle and aunt of my wife. With sincere respect, I beg to
remain,
Yours, very faithfully, CHARLES DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO HUGH FALCONER. Down, November
11th [1859].
My dear Falconer,
I have told Murray to send you a copy of my book on the 'Origin of
Species,' which as yet is only an abstract.
If you read it, you must read it straight through, otherwise from its
extremely condensed state it will be unintelligible.
Lord, how savage you will be, if you read it, and how you will long to
crucify me alive! I fear it will produce no other effect on you; but if it
should stagger you in ever so slight a degree, in this case, I am fully
convinced that you will become, year after year, less fixed in your
belief in the immutability of species. With this audacious and
presumptuous conviction,
I remain, my dear Falconer, Yours most truly, CHARLES DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO ASA GRAY. Down, November 11th [1859].

My dear Gray,
I have directed a copy of my book (as yet only an abstract) on the
'Origin of Species' to be sent you. I know how you are pressed for time;
but if you can read it, I shall be infinitely gratified...If ever you do read
it, and can screw out time to send me (as I value your opinion so
highly), however short a note, telling me what you think its weakest
and best parts, I should be extremely grateful. As you are not a
geologist, you will excuse my conceit in telling you that Lyell highly
approves of the two Geological chapters, and thinks that on the
Imperfection of the Geological Record not exaggerated. He is nearly a
convert to my views...
Let me add I fully admit that there are very many difficulties not
satisfactorily explained by my theory of descent with modification, but
I cannot possibly believe